Wildlife

Blackbird

Blackbirds are ground feeders pulling worms and pecking at insects and berries at the bottom of hedgerows. The males are all black and the females all brown except for the yellow-orange eye ring and beak. Breeding males establish their territories early in the year with rich warbling songs, and a pair may hold their territory throughout the year if the climate is favourable.

Blackbirds are one of the commonest birds in Britain and there are thought to be over four million breeding pairs, although their numbers have suffered in the last 25 years. Albino blackbirds are not uncommon and many have white patches of feathers. Completely white individuals seldom survive, as they are more conspicuous to predators.